Direct Service of Judicial Documents in Ireland Article 20 – Regulation (EU) 2020/1784

Regulation (EU) 2020/1784 governs the service of judicial and extrajudicial documents in civil or commercial matters between EU Member States.

The Regulation provides a number of methods by which judicial documents may be served in another Member State, including direct service under Article 20.

Article 20 – Direct Service

Article 20 provides that a person with an interest in particular judicial proceedings may arrange for judicial documents to be served directly through judicial officers, officials or other competent persons in the Member State where service is required, provided that direct service is permitted by the law of that Member State.

Official text:
Regulation (EU) 2020/1784 – EUR-Lex

Direct Service in Ireland

The information published for Ireland on the European e-Justice Portal states:

“There is nothing to prevent any person interested in a judicial proceeding effecting service of judicial documents directly through the competent officials of the Member State addressed. In Ireland these include solicitors and summon servers.”

Official information for Ireland:
European e-Justice Portal – Ireland: Article 20 Direct Service

The Ireland information on the European e-Justice Portal records a last update of 29 April 2025.

Service throughout Ireland

National Summons Servers provides summons serving throughout the Republic of Ireland and accepts instructions from solicitors and legal professionals requiring judicial documents to be served in Ireland.

Important Information

The information on this page is provided for general information and reference purposes only and does not constitute legal advice.

Page reviewed: 18 August 2026

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